High-voltage switch



June 18, 1929. c. HART HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH I Filed July 2, 1927 3 SheetsSheet l g/Zm June 18, 1929. L, c, HART 1.717.449

HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH Filed July 2, 1927 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR June 18, 1929. c, R 1,717,449

HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH Filed July 2, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED] STATE P N Q FICE- LESTER c. HART, or CLEVELAND, orrro, ASSTGNOR T0 HI-VOL AGE mun mm COMPANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA,

' HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCH.

Application filed July 2, 1927. Serial 1102203947.

The invention relates to high voltage switches, and particularly to those of large size, although certain features are equally advantageous in small switches. It has for its principal objects, the provision of a switch of the type specified having a better balance than those heretofore constructed,so that the switch is easier toclose and is held closed securely by gravity when once closed. This feature of balance is important in large size switches of the type specified, as these switches, having a plurality of poles,.are ordinarily operated in multiple from a single handle, so that it becomes a diflicult matter to operate the handle and swing the heavy switch arms to closed position against gravity. Briefly stated, the balancing, or counterbalancing effect is. secured bylocating the heavy insulator, which carries the switch arm or operates it by its rotation, off center with respect to itsycenter of rotation, so that the weight of the insulator tends, (1) to close the switch arm, and (2 to hold it closed when once shut, so that there is no danger of the switch opening itself accidentally. Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation with the switch in closed position. Fig. 2 is a detail diagrammatic view showing the relation of the center line of the insulator to the axis of rotation thereof. Fig: 3 is a perspective view showing the switch in full open position. And Figs. 4 and 5are perspective views showing a modification with the switch arm in closed position. in Fig. a and in open position in Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 1 is the vertical base upon which are mounted the insulators 2 and 3, the insulator 2 being fixed in position upon the upper end of the base, while the insulator 3 is mounted for rotation upon the axle 4:, and carries at its outer end the switch arm 5. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, a rotation of about degrees moves the switch arm from closed position to full open position. Connected to the metal blocks or caps at the outer ends of the insulators are the current terminals 6 and 7. The axle 4: is provided with the crank arms 8 and 9 secured to the connecting rods 10 and 11, one of which supplies the power to rotate the axle, and the other of which is connected to the next switch of the series.

As indicated in 1 and 2, theaxis of i rotation 12 of the axle is olf center with respect to the centerline 13 of the insulator-3, the relative positions of these centers being indicated in Fig. 2, wherein the parts are shown in the position occupied when the switch arm is in closed position (Fig. 1). As the switch arm is opened by a movement in a clockwise direction, the weight of the insulator, therefore,tencls to hold the switch closed, as it tends to swing the arm in acounter clockwise direction, There is tllllSwllO danger of the arm swinging openaccidente ally, any vibration to whichthe switchis e'x-. posed, tending to make the arm move in the contrary direction. A r

\Vhen the switch arm is movedto open position, the center 13 .of the insulator (which is also itscenter of gravityl'is moved "to the position 14 of Fig.2. In this positiomthe weight of the insulator still lies to the'left of the vertical line 15 extending through the axes of rotation 13 of the axle, so that such weight still tends to rotate the axle in a counter clockwise direction. The weight of the insulator thus counterbalances the weight of the switch arm 5, and "the powerrequired to close the arm is materially reduced. This becomes important, as heretofore referred to when the switches are arranged in multiple, due to a number of poles, and are of very large size. For instance, with the counterbalancing feature, one man can without dilliculty operate a six pole switch running up to the 132,000 volt size, while without this feature of construction, it is practically impossible for one man to operate such a switch.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modification embodying the same counterbalancing feature. Here the base 16 is also vertical, and the switch arm 17 is vertical or upright, when in closed position. and 19 are carried by metal caps or blocks at the outer ends of the insulators 20 and 21 mounted in fixed position at the ends of the The current terminals '18 f base or frame 16. 'Athird insulator 22 is mounted upon the crank arm 23 swung by means of a crank arm 23 and a suitable connecting rod pivoted to the end of such latter crank arm, as in the other type of construction. The upper end of the insulator 22 is supported from the insulator 20 by a tie rod 24 pivoted to the caps or blocks at, the ends of the insulators to accommodate itself to the swinging movement of the insulator 22. The

I'Vhen the switch is closed, as shown in F-ig. l, theweight to the insulator tends to ro-' tate the cranks 23 and 26 in the direction indicated by the arrows (Fig. 4:), the crank 26 being so located that this movement tendsto move the rod 27 in the direction of its length toward the insulator 21. The weight of the insulator thus tends to hold the switch arm 17 closed, andalso tends to move such arm to closed position from open position. ,When the switch'arm is moved to full open position (by turning the cranks, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5), the axis of the insulator 22 lies almost directly above the axis of rotation of the crank 23, so that the weight otthe insulator exerts very little pull in either dircc-' tion, the weightot the switch arm serving to hold it in open position. IIIwIHOViIlg from such point until thearm is closed, the weight of the insulatoriassists in cl'osing,'as above indicated.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In combination in a high voltage switch,

pivoted switch arm which occupies a substantially vertical position when closed, an axle mounted for oscillation and adapted by such'oscillation back and torth'to open and close the switch arm, and an insulator carried by the axle and supporting the switch arm,

said insulator'being positioned with its center of gravity, when the axle is in both extremes of oscillation, on the sameside of the Vertical plane in which the axis of the axle is located and tending by its weight to swing the switch arm to closed position.

2. In combination in a high voltage switch,

a pivoted switch arm which occupies a substantially vertical position when closed, an axle mounted for oscillation and adapted by such oscillation back and forth to open and close the sw tch arm, and an lIlSUlEItOlXCal ried by the axle and operatively connected to the switch arm, said insulator being positioned with itscenter of gravity, when the axle is in both extremes of oscillation, on the same side of the vertical plane in' which the axis of the axle is located and tending by its weight toswing the switch arm to closed position:

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed myname this 30th day of J une, 1927.

, LESTER c. HART. 

